James Kennedy

I am a British-born VCE Chemistry teacher and chemistry textbook author in Melbourne, Australia. I graduated from the University of Cambridge with BA(Hons.) and Master’s degrees in Natural Sciences. I have been teaching chemistry since 2013 in Melbourne’s best independent schools. My Year 12 students have achieved consistently high results.

In 2021, I published a popular science book with the Royal Society of Chemistry called Everything is Natural. In 2022, I opened Kennedy College, where I run Chemistry, Biology and Physics extension classes for students in Years 7-12. In 2023, my pair of VCE Chemistry textbooks published with Oxford University Press were released.

Chemistry for VCE textbooks (2023)

My two latest books are Chemistry for VCE Units 1–4 published by Oxford University Press. This pair of VCE Chemistry textbooks is written specifically for the new VCE Chemistry Study Design 2023-2027. Forget irrelevant content, this brand new series provides more opportunities to apply and extend understanding of Key Knowledge and Skills.

Kennedy College (since 2022)

Kennedy College is where I run Chemistry extension and headstart programs at evenings and weekends for students in Years 7-12. Curricula include IGCSE Chemistry (Cambridge), a custom-made Pre-VCE Chemistry course and VCE Chemistry headstart programs.

Everything is Natural (2021)

Everything is Natural, published with the Royal Society of Chemistry, explores the history of chemical fears and the recent events that amplified it. It describes how consumers, teachers, doctors, lawmakers and journalists can help make better connections with the public by telling stories that are more engaging about chemistry and materials science. Written in a sympathetic way, this book explains both sides of the argument for anyone with an interest in science.